Do we need another Federal Holiday?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:09:57 -0500

RP Members and Connections Declaring a National Day of Patriotism was among Donald Trump's first acts as president of the United States by Executive Order.

Do we need another Federal Holiday?

Additonal background:

Presidents can declare a one-time holiday through executive order, but Congress holds the power to create annual federal holidays. In 2004, for example, George W. Bush issued an executive order for a national day of mourning following Ronald Reagan's death, shutting down the federal government for a day.
Whenever Trump's National Day of Patriotism may fall, it shouldn't be confused with previous presidential proclamations of Patriot Day.

In 2002, Bush proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day. He first declared the day in 2001 as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.

In 2014, Barack Obama also proclaimed it as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Bush and Obama's presidential proclamations made September 11 a national observance, but not a federal holiday.

There are also similarly named state holidays. In Maine, Patriot's Day falls on the third Monday in April. In Massachusetts, Patriots' Day is observed on April 19.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 3:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:10:45 -0500

No. Simple as that

Response by COL Lee Flemming made Jan 24 at 2017 3:12 PM

COL Lee Flemming — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:12:13 -0500

I am all for Patriotism...didn't think we would get a holiday to celebrate it, but will support any effort to ensure that our Nation recognizes those that act in its best interest...!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 3:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:13:01 -0500

I was thinking the same thing, but after some research, this is something done by all incoming Presidents just with different names to mark he day of their Inauguration- this is something I did not know and learned something to pay attention to in the future..... Link to follow

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 3:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:13:45 -0500

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/23/trump-declares-national-day-of-patriotic-devotionbut-you-already-missed-it.html

Trump declares National Day of Patriotic Devotion...but you already missed it

Trump's National Day of Patriotic Devotion shouldn't be confused with previous presidential proclamations with similar names.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 3:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:15:38 -0500

If it were up to me, I would sign an Exec Order REDUCING the number of Federal Holidays.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 3:21 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:21:48 -0500

It's not a federal holiday or even a recurring day of rememberance at all. It simply marked his inauguration day as a national day of patriotic devotion.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 24 at 2017 3:35 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:35:49 -0500

Well somebody long ago limited how many Federal Holidays there could be COL Mikel J. Burroughs. On Monday, the paperwork was filed with the federal government declaring officially that Jan. 20, 2017 — the day of Trump's inauguration — would officially be known as the “National Day of Patriotic Devotion.”
FYI, in 2009, President Obama named the day of his inauguration a "National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation."
The Executive Order simply states:
“Now, therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, president of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Jan. 20, 2017, as National Day of Patriotic Devotion, in order to strengthen our bonds to each other and to our country — and to renew the duties of government to the people,” the order says.
“Our Constitution is written on parchment, but it lives in the hearts of the American people,” the order continues. “There is no freedom where the people do not believe in it; no law where the people do not follow it; and no peace where the people do not pray for it.”

Only Congress can declare a National Holiday which allows Federal government workers to have a paid holidays. The number of paid holidays are fixed.
1. this caused the USA to merge the Days honoring President Washington and Lincoln into Presidents Day to make a way for a Martin Luther King Day.
2. Veterans Day is honored by the Federal government but not all states.
We have many national days and weeks and months that honor a group or activity but don't serve as mandates for vacation days.
President Donald Trump is simply exercising his authority to declare January 20, 2017 a National Day of Patriotism.
It is noteworthy that September 11 was proclaimed as Patriot Day by then President George W. Bush in 2002 and in 2014 then President Barack Obama also proclaimed it as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/01/23/trump-names-his-inauguration-day-a-national-day-of-patriotic-devotion/?utm_term=.292352426ef9

Trump names his Inauguration Day a ‘National Day of Patriotic Devotion’

Trump signed the presidential order on Friday, hours after being sworn in.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 3:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:39:24 -0500

I'm all for another Federal Holiday if it gives me another long weekend to spend time with my family, doing something we all enjoy. I mean seriously, the worst day of skiing or fishing, or whatever, with the wife and kids is better than the best day working!

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Jan 24 at 2017 3:39 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:39:57 -0500

I believe his proclamation declared 20 Jan 2017 as the National Day of Patriotism.
Patriots Day, as a holiday is actually a state holiday in Massachusetts in honor of the actions at the battles of Lexington and Concord (@ 19 April as you note). It is also the day for the running of the Boston Marathon.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 24 at 2017 3:40 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:40:01 -0500

No, but since I am retired I may be biased. There are 220 workdays, take away Holidays, vacation and sick days and you need another employee to fill in. For staff planning, a business needs to hire more people and that cost goes to the bottom line, SG&A. In order to make a profit the product price is increased. Next our competition wins the sale.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 3:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:53:33 -0500

I think we need one around the end of March or beginning of April. That stretch between Presidents' Day and Memorial Day can be rough.

On March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry gave the speech in which he stated, "Give me liberty or give me death." Maybe we could add one called Liberty Day..

Or April 3rd to mark the surrender of the Confederate capital of Richmond in 1865. It could be Reunification Day?

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 24 at 2017 4:18 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 16:18:16 -0500

Its called Independence Day -

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Jan 24 at 2017 4:25 PM

1stSgt Nelson Kerr — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 16:25:44 -0500

Silliness. A scoundrel wrapping himself in the flag

Response by SFC George Smith made Jan 24 at 2017 4:27 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 16:27:12 -0500

We Don't Need Any More holiadys..

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 24 at 2017 5:23 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 17:23:33 -0500

No, we have enough of them.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 24 at 2017 5:33 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 17:33:59 -0500

No, but IMO the Trump administration is going to work on removing Martin Luther King day as a Federal Holiday, so there is room for another if that happens.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jan 24 at 2017 5:36 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 17:36:43 -0500

Sure... get rid of international pickle day...

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jan 24 at 2017 5:47 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 17:47:01 -0500

It's a bit stupid since his day has already passed. It's a bit self indulgent.
What about D-Day, VE Day, VH Day, Pearl Harbor Day (Dec 7), Challenger Shuttle Day (January 28), Columbia Shuttle Day (February 1), Apollo 1 Day (January 27), Apollo 11 Day (July 11), etc., etc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 5:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 17:56:19 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Do we need one? probably not...would I love to have more days off from work? HELL YEAH!!!

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Jan 24 at 2017 6:03 PM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:03:41 -0500

There are too many already and with the exception of the major holidays, the others are almost all exclusive to government workers. If they can afford to have these folks off so much, we really don't need the tens of thousands we already have.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 6:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:53:16 -0500

only if there is a safety brief involved. and lots of paperwork.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 7:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:34:51 -0500

No.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Jan 24 at 2017 7:51 PM

SPC John Lebiecki — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:51:09 -0500

Has anyone seen the number of holidays other countries get? HOLY SMOKES!

Response by SFC Dante Alanis made Jan 24 at 2017 8:02 PM

SFC Dante Alanis — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:02:19 -0500

It should be a holyday that only military and first responders get paid for, and the money should come out of Congress' personal salary.

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Jan 24 at 2017 8:13 PM

GySgt Melissa Gravila — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:13:44 -0500

Please don't take what I'm about to say the wrong way, but since I'm a chef, it doesn't matter to me- people kinda are funny about certain things like eating...they like to do it 3 times a day, 7 days a week- federal holiday or not! LOL

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 24 at 2017 8:15 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:15:29 -0500

No more Federal Holidays, take an existing and re-purpose.
President's day? We are American's, we don't celebrate leaders, we denigrate them.
Labor day moved to May vs Sep, give the communist and socialist their parade!
Memorial day could be moved to 9/11 vs May.
Columbus Day Really?!? Some states and cities have changed to Indigenous peoples day.
Columbus could be changed to Patriot Day.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Jan 24 at 2017 8:16 PM

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:16:23 -0500

In theory I agree with the sentiment; however most employers have a set amount of paid holidays they will allow. When MLK day was instituted my company stopped paying for Veterans day. Everyone wouldn't benefit.

Response by SrA Travis Rodenburg made Jan 24 at 2017 8:20 PM

SrA Travis Rodenburg — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:20:28 -0500

To many stupid holidays.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jan 24 at 2017 11:25 PM

PO3 John Wagner — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 23:25:49 -0500

No holidays...government and banks goof off enough.. A patriots day can still be observed..every day we're it up to me. I have heard that since Dr. Martin Luther King was an educator he would have been absolutely scandalized by the notion of kids getting a day off from school.
How about combining both days and making it a true national celebration of unity and patriotism?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Jan 24 at 2017 11:35 PM

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 23:35:38 -0500

Not unless you are a federal employee!

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Jan 24 at 2017 11:40 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 23:40:08 -0500

Annual running of the Boston Marathon. Red Sox play their game very (wicked) early too COL Mikel J. Burroughs. As far as another federal holiday, I'm not real sure right now.

Response by Sgt Jim Belcher made Jan 25 at 2017 12:17 AM

Sgt Jim Belcher — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 00:17:42 -0500

Great idea...and timely! We are at a great reset point in this country. A one-time proclamation works for me.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 25 at 2017 1:09 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:09:15 -0500

I'm retired and wouldn't know what to do with another day off.

Response by SFC Wade W. made Jan 25 at 2017 1:17 AM

SFC Wade W. — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:17:47 -0500

I honestly believe we do not need another federal holiday. I know many states that don't observe several national holidays as it stands. I also know way too many people who don't know what many of the holidays are for. Why we celebrate this on this day? it is an absolute embarrassment.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jan 25 at 2017 5:23 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 05:23:19 -0500

As long as all the public offices, banks, Credit unions, Post offices, Library's stay open ..!

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Jan 25 at 2017 8:10 AM

CW4 Angel C. — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 08:10:06 -0500

No! By god I need my kids to go to school as much as possible!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 25 at 2017 8:13 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 08:13:00 -0500

It would be worthwhile only if they didn't turn it into another big sales event

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Jan 25 at 2017 9:48 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 09:48:54 -0500

I think that if you want to add a holiday it has to replace an existing holiday:
As is I fully believe that we can do without:
Columbus Day (historically inaccurate to celebrate this person)
Christmas (how do you say there is no official Federal Religion when the only Federally recognized religious holiday is Christ's birthday?)
Thanksgiving (again, historically inaccurate)

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Jan 25 at 2017 11:59 AM

SMSgt Roy Dowdy — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 11:59:34 -0500

Absolutely not! Congress already gets more recess than it deserves...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2017 12:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 12:33:44 -0500

I think we do need another holiday. Lets celebrate life more.

Response by SGT James Colwell made Jan 25 at 2017 1:24 PM

SGT James Colwell — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 13:24:10 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I for one can use all the days off I can get. Veteran's Day would be nice! Seriously, though, I think every day should be Patriotism Day. We shouldn't have to "observe" a Day of patriotism. Was his EO a holiday or a day of observance? It's a nice thing to do, but not sure of the end goal.

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Jan 25 at 2017 3:06 PM

PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 15:06:00 -0500

National Day of Patriotism can be a good thing if President Trump goes about it the same way that our illustrious Secretary of Defense celebrated his first day on the job, by bombing 31 ISIS targets! Trump can get 25 or 30 C-160's out of Davis Monthan AFB that were originally outfitted as Agent Orange sprayers, flush them out refill them with Bacon grease and pig fat and start a new offensive over Afghanistan and Pakistan, Call it "Operation Porky Pig"

Now that would be Patriotic!!! th.. th.. thats all Folks!

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Jan 25 at 2017 5:34 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:34:24 -0500

Yes ! And we can call it National Election day. Every 4 years all business save emergency services would close, for the purpose of every Legal U.S. citizen can go vote. And in order to get paid for being off, you have to show proof from your polling place that you voted.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2017 6:51 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:51:12 -0500

Don't know if it should be a "Holiday" but considering the importance, maybe a day off for voting would be worth looking in to. To minimize abuse have any that use it provide some form of standardized proof that they did vote. Not everybody lives in a small community where the polling place is a church and there is no line. With more voting restrictions and fewer polling places it takes some people hours to cast their vote. There is also the commute from work to polling place so it might be worth consideration. Voting is very important as we have definitely seen in the recent election, and it should be easier vice harder to cast one's ballot. Of course the bean counters will squabble over wages, and since many voters can't afford to lose even one day's wages this should be considered. If low-income voters lose pay they might decide not to vote, and that would defeat the purpose. A workaround might be to schedule elections on a day that is already a paid holiday. We'll never be able to please everyone though, and for that reason alone it will likely never be considered.

Response by MSgt Raymond Stettner made Jan 25 at 2017 11:38 PM

MSgt Raymond Stettner — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 23:38:17 -0500

Why do we need another Fed. Holiday that Corporate America will ignore anyway? I know of at least 12 Corporations that only have a "core" bank pf holiday's with Veteran's Day, President's Day & MLK Day not on their list. Hey, I applied for a p.t. job at a Wyndham subsidiary and they didn't even have a Veteran's Preference section on their application!

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jan 26 at 2017 9:24 AM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 09:24:00 -0500

We need free Funko Pop day... that's for sure.

Response by LCpl Todd Houston made Jan 26 at 2017 11:47 AM

LCpl Todd Houston — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 11:47:50 -0500

I dont think we need an annual Patriots day. Not one that would shut the government down so half the country has another day of BBQ. I feel a simple day of rememberance would be in order. We do this for Pearl Harbor day without shutting down the government.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jan 26 at 2017 3:50 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 15:50:28 -0500

Sure, why not? There's a 'day' for almost every idiotic thing out there. Pancake Day. Cookie Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unofficial_observances_by_date

List of unofficial observances by date - Wikipedia

This is a list of unofficial observances or holidays attached to specific dates (fixed or movable), organized by date for easy reference.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jan 26 at 2017 11:52 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 23:52:43 -0500

Nope....We have too many now.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jan 27 at 2017 9:11 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 09:11:07 -0500

No.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 27 at 2017 2:16 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 14:16:37 -0500

There ya go, confusing need with want.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 27 at 2017 8:11 PM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:11:35 -0500

No, I don't think so.

Response by SCPO Don Baker made Jan 31 at 2017 7:42 AM

SCPO Don Baker — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 07:42:59 -0500

Proud to be a Vet and of all the others who honorable served/serving. But, all these holidays in the name of service members is probably getting tiring to those who didn't have time to serve and some of us that did.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 12:49 AM

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:49:46 -0500

Agree 200% !!!! The Pledge of Allegiance Must be re-instated in our School systems Every morning across the US, also !!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 4:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:13:46 -0500

No my kids need to be in school damn it! ...lol...

Response by Sgt Heriberto Salinas made Feb 14 at 2017 9:26 PM

Sgt Heriberto Salinas — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 21:26:27 -0500

No, we do not need another federal holiday. We need less. This is one reason our infrastructure is falling apart. We have too many federal employees off of work and getting paid. We have too much work to do to be adding days off for people who don't do alot to begin with.

Response by SFC Louis Willhauck, MSM, JSCM, and ARCOM made Apr 21 at 2017 10:41 AM

SFC Louis Willhauck, MSM, JSCM, and ARCOM — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:41:50 -0400

I think every day congress is NOT in session ought to be a MANDATORY Federal holiday!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 29 at 2017 1:05 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 13:05:57 -0400

I was really steamed that they combined Washington and Lincoln's birthdays into President's Day to make way for MLK day. I have no problem with an MLK day, but to take away the holidays celebrating two of the most influential people in our history? Just wrong, if you ask me. They should have left them be and simply added MLK day.

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Oct 14 at 2019 2:42 PM

SPC Steven Nihipali — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 14:42:42 -0400

Yeah, veterans day off, not allowing school children to be indoctrinated by commie teachers and staff

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Oct 14 at 2019 3:08 PM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 15:08:37 -0400

Get rid of Columbus Day, and add Election Day.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Oct 14 at 2019 3:39 PM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 15:39:48 -0400

no.

Response by SPC Todd Everetts made Oct 14 at 2019 6:22 PM

SPC Todd Everetts — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 18:22:39 -0400

As one who feeds at the 'Federal trough', I fully support adding another Federal Holiday